Kansas City-Area St. Patrick’s Day Festivities – 2012

St. Patrick’s Day 2012 is fast approaching, and while it began as a religious holiday in Ireland in the fifth century, modern-day St. Patrick’s Day festivities all held across the world and are all about having fun and celebrating Irish roots – even by the non-Irish. Kansas City is no different. Whether you live on the Kansas or Missouri side of the line, there are some great St. Patrick’s Day activities to participate in including parades, runs, and family-friendly events.

The largest St. Patrick’s Day event in the Kansas City area is of course the Kansas City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The 40th Annual parade will take place beginning at 11:00am and running until about 1:00pm. Grand Marshall for this year’s parade is Fox 4 Emmy-winning reporter Kathy Quinn. The parade route will be the same as last year, following Broadway from 33rd St. to 43rd St. Food and merchandise vendors will be set up all along the parade route. There will be entertainment areas on Broadway, North of 33rd St. as well as on 33rd St. and Linwood Blvd.

There are a number of parking options available with pricing ranging from free to $50. The family-friendly portion of the Kansas City St. Patrick’s Day festivities will take place at Browne’s Market on Pennsylvania between 33rd St. and 34th St.

If you are looking to work off some pre-St. Patrick’s Day calories, check out the KC Track Club 34th Annual Westport St. Patrick’s Day Run. This four-mile run (and walk, for those less athletic at heart) will be held on Saturday, March 10th beginning at 10:00am.

Lawrence, KS – home of the University of Kansas – will be holding their 25th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, beginning at 1:00pm at South Park on historic Massachusetts Street. The parade will follow Mass St., through downtown and to Locust Street, where it will turn right and continue to 9th and Walnut Streets. Lawrence will also be holding the 2012 Shamrock Shuffle, a 5k Run/Walk. This race will be held on Saturday, March 10th at 8am. Registration info for the Shamrock Shuffle is located here.

Kansas City area residents that are looking for St. Patrick’s Day fun a little early can attend the 25th Annual Martin City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This fun event will happen on Sunday, March 13th, starting at 2:00pm. This parade runs along 135th Street from Washington St. to Holmes Road. There will be a Post-Parade Party Tent set up at Jess and Jim’s Steakhouse featuring corn beef and cabbage – an Irish tradition – as well as a performance by Kansas City’s own Irish band, The Kelihans. Martin City’s celebration also includes a Prince and Princess Contest (held on March 11th), Faulkner Ranch Kiddie Korral, Pigment Pie Face Painting, and inflatable jump houses for the kids, and a Best Dressed Dog Contest, as well.

So, there you have it: the best St. Patrick’s Day festivities in the Kansas City area! Regardless of the side of the line you live, there are multiple places where we can all come together and celebrate the luck of the Irish!


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